PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 8/17/2023

Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org
Website: www.CVLT.org

Popular annual "Murder by the Falls" event to take place September 8 & 9 in Chagrin Falls

Subheading: Fundraiser audiences invited to solve an original whodunit entitled "Nailed! A Murderous Manicure Mystery"

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH - Chagrin Valley Little Theatre will commence its 94th consecutive season with the annual Murder by the Falls event on September 8th and 9th, 2023. This event has served as CVLT's major fundraiser for over 30 years and marks the official beginning of their exciting 2023-24 series which includes three musicals and three plays. While the ticket proceeds from the theater's regular performances go largely toward the cost of mounting the productions themselves, the money raised from M.B.T.F. goes to the theater's general operating and facilities expenses.

The format of the event has remained roughly the same over the years as it has grown in popularity, often selling to capacity. The evening begins with a pre-show VIP reception at 5:30 PM, followed by a 6:00 PM general reception with hors d'oeuvres and a wine/beer cash bar. The curtain rises on Act I at 7:00 PM, in which the crime is committed. During intermission, the audience prowls N. Franklin and Main Streets in Chagrin Falls Village looking for clues hidden in the shop windows, and interviewing live actors to gain additional info about the suspects. A catered dessert buffet with complimentary coffee and wine follows, during which audience members fill in answer sheets with their best guesses. The evening completes with the revealing of the killer's identity in Act II and prizes being awarded.

Each edition of Murder by the Falls features an original comedy/mystery. This year's script, entitled "Nailed! A Murderous Manicure Mystery" was penned by Rich Stimac with help from M.B.T.F. veteran Andrew Rothman. The dastardly plot takes place at Betty Bawdy’s Nail Emporium, a fictional Chagrin Falls manicure salon where nobody likes the owner and everyone from the pedicurist to the cops might have had it in for her. When Betty fails to arrive at her own shop's grand re-opening party, everyone becomes a suspect.

The cast features Abby Longshore, Kate Williams-Bernardo and Lisa Freebairn-Tarr as the nail salon's catty mavens, while Jessie Pollak and Maureen Basista turn up as the new employees. Julian Kruyne and Andrew Banghart appear as local newsmen. Douglas R. Vanek plays the mediocre magician who is also a regular salon client. The local police are portrayed by Jim Marzullo, Brenda Redmond and Don Bernardo. Steven R. Tiderman appears as the hearthrob delivery guy. Cleveland TV favorite Jan Jones, who has appeared in M.B.T.F. for many years, returns this time as the Mayor's Assistant. Audiences will interact with actors Alessia Carrossellia, Christopher Wuehler and Jordon Matthew during the intermission investigations.

The production is directed by Emily Stack, local actress and founder of the 'Music and Mystery Events' troupe which performs regularly at public and private events across Northeast Ohio (see Facebook for details). Since 2020, Stack has written and performed in over a dozen unique and interactive murder mysteries.

CVLT's 2023 edition of Murder by the Falls is made possible through the generosity of Unto Others Foundation, Berkshire Hathaway, Missy & Stan Davis, The Glass Asylum, First Federal Bank, Hamlet Retirement, Emily & Matt Honsa-Hicks, Jan Jones, JAW Renovations, Libby Larrabee and Vintage Wine Distributor.

Tickets are $75 VIP or $50 standard and can be purchased online 24/7 at CVLT.org or by calling the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre Box Office at 440-247-8955, Tuesday - Friday afternoons from 1:00pm - 6:00pm. Early reservations and arrival are highly recommended. CVLT is located at 40 River Street in historic Chagrin Falls Village.

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Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through individual and corporate contributions. Our programming is made possible in part by the citizens of Cuyahoga Country through Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture and by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.